200 Essential Tamil Words – Part 4: Namma (We) & Naangal (We)
Welcome! I’m Meenakshi, your guide to Colloquial Tamil.
Today, we continue our “200 Essential Tamil Words” series with two important pronouns: “Namma” (We) and “Naangal” (We).
Both words mean “we”, but their usage is different depending on who is included in the group.
Understanding this difference will help you use Tamil more naturally in conversations.
What Does “Namma” (நாம்) Mean?
“Namma” (நாம்) means “we,” but it specifically includes both the speaker and the listener.
✅ Use “Namma” when you are talking about an action that includes the person you are speaking to.
✅ This word helps create a sense of unity and shared action.
For example, if you and your friend are studying together, you would say:
👉 “Namma Study Pandroom” (நாம் ஸ்டடி பண்ண்றோம்) → “We study” (including the listener).
What Does “Naangal” (நாங்கள்) Mean?
“Naangal” (நாங்கள்) also means “we,” but it does NOT include the listener.
✅ Use “Naangal” when referring to a group that the speaker belongs to, but the listener is not a part of.
✅ This is useful when describing actions taken by your group that do not involve the person you are speaking to.
For example, if you are talking about your coworkers studying, but your listener is not part of the group, you would say:
👉 “Naangal Study Pandroom” (நாங்கள் ஸ்டடி பண்ண்றோம்) → “We study” (excluding the listener).
Verb Endings Stay the Same
The great thing about “Namma” and “Naangal” is that both use the same verb ending: “-room” (றோம்).
For example:
✅ “We drive a car” (including the listener) → Namma Kaar Drive Pandroom (நாம் கார் டிரைவ் பண்ண்றோம்)
✅ “We drive a car” (excluding the listener) → Naangal Kaar Drive Pandroom (நாங்கள் கார் டிரைவ் பண்ண்றோம்)
Since the verb form remains the same, the only thing you need to remember is whether or not the listener is included.
Why Learning “Namma” and “Naangal” is Important
✅ Using the right “we” makes your Tamil sound more natural and precise.
✅ “Namma” helps create connection and unity in conversations.
✅ “Naangal” ensures clarity when the listener is not part of the action.
By understanding this distinction, you can speak Tamil more accurately and confidently!
Stay Tuned for the Next Word!
This is just one of the many essential Tamil words you’ll need for real conversations.
In the next lesson, we’ll introduce another key word to improve your Tamil fluency!
See you in the next lesson! 😊
